GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The Green Bay men’s basketball team will be heading to the Bahamas later this month for a foreign tour, playing four games in Nassau from Aug. 26-29, head coach Brian Wardle announced Wednesday afternoon. Per NCAA rules, a program can participate in a foreign tour during the summer once every four seasons and is allowed 10 days of practice prior to departure.

Wardle and the Phoenix will conduct two of the 10 practices this week and plan to spread the practices out before departing for the Bahamas on Sunday, Aug. 25. After arriving in the Bahamas, the Phoenix will play its first game on Monday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. against the Bahamas All-Stars. Green Bay will also play games on Aug. 27, 28 and 29 before returning home on Friday, Aug. 30.

“We are extremely excited and thankful for this opportunity to play four games in the Bahamas,” said Wardle. “This tour not only gives us a chance to get on the court and prepare for the upcoming season, but more importantly will provide our staff and players a chance to experience another culture while continuing to develop team chemistry and integrating our newcomers into the program.”

Green Bay last participated in a foreign trip prior to the 2006-07 season under former head coach Tod Kowalczyk, playing four games in Spain. Wardle was an assistant coach during that season but missed the trip to Spain due to the birth of his first child, Mya.

SAVE THE DATESWhile the full 2013-14 men’s basketball schedule has not yet been released, remember to mark your calendars for two premier non-conference home games. The Phoenix will host Wisconsin on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Resch Center. The Badgers last visited Green Bay on Dec. 9, 2009, with the Phoenix pulling out an 88-84 overtime victory in front of 9,759 fans.

Green Bay’s all-time leading scorer and current Virginia head coach Tony Bennett will return to Green Bay on Saturday, Dec. 7 when the Cavaliers visit the Resch Center. Bennett, who scored 2,285 points for the Phoenix from 1988-92, is entering his fifth season at the helm at Virginia.

KARIUS JOINS STAFF AS VOLUNTEER VIDEO COORDINATORWardle also announced the hiring of Rick Karius as the program’s volunteer video coordinator. A 2009 graduate of UW-La Crosse, Karius joins the staff after serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater for the past two seasons. He also spent the 2010-11 season as an assistant coach at UW-Superior and the 2009-10 season at Southwest Minnesota State.

"I'm extremely excited to join the Green Bay men's basketball program and have the opportunity to work with Coach Wardle and his staff on continuing their recent success. This is an exciting time to be a part of the program."

A native of Chilton, Wis., Karius was a four-year letterwinner at UW-La Crosse and served as a team captain. He was named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and All-Sportsmanship Team.

“Rick will be a great addition to our staff,” said Wardle. “He has a reputation as a very hard worker and is passionate about the game. In his new role, he will be able to provide assistance in a variety of areas, including film exchange, player development and scouting.”

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